Awards

Since our beginning in 1957, WaterOne has been continuously recognized for its exceptional drinking water, our leadership's management of infrastructure, finances, and operations, and our staff's commitment to excellence. Here are some of the most recent ways WaterOne has distinguished itself.

  • American Water Works Association
    • 2022

America's Best Tasting Drinking Water

  • National Rural Water Association
    • 2021

Best Tasting Water in Kansas

  • Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association (KsAWWA)
    • 2023
    • 2021
    • 2018
    • 2014
    • 2011
    • 2006
  • Kansas Rural Water Association (KRWA)
    • 2023
    • 2021
    • 2018

Sustainable Water Utility Management Award

  • Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
    • 2024
    • 2019

Platinum Award for Utility Excellence

  • Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
    • 2014

Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance

  • Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
    • 2011

Climate Registered™ Gold Status

  • The Climate Registry
    • 2023

Special Achievement In GIS Award

  • ESRI
    • 2022

"Leading The Way" Customer Satisfaction Award

  • ETC Institute
    • 2023
    • 2021
  • Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
    • 2024 to 2025
    • 2022 to 2023
    • 2020 to 2021
    • 2018 to 2019

Kansas City Healthiest Employers Award

  • Kansas City Business Journal
    • Honoree, 2025
    • Honoree, 2024
    • Honoree, 2023
    • Honoree, 2022
    • Honoree, 2021
    • Honoree, 2020
    • Honoree, 2015
    • Winner, 2014
    • Winner, 2013

Class III Safety Award

  • Kansas Section - American Water Works Association (KsAWWA)
    • 2023

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

  • Government Finance Officer's Association
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017

Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award

  • National Procurement Institute
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019

Marketing & Communications Awards

  • City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
    • Smart Watering Campaign - Award of Excellence, 2025
    • 2022 WaterOne Budget Cover - Silver Circle Award, 2022
    • MilfordWatershed.org - Silver Circle Award, 2019
    • 2018 Year In Review - Award of Excellence, 2019
    • 60th Anniversary Historical Timeline Kiosk - Silver Circle Award, 2018
    • 60th Anniversary Vintage T-Shirt - Savvy Award, 2017
    • I Love Tap! Educational Program - Award of Excellence, 2017
    • Tower 2 Tower 5K Event - Award of Excellence, 2017
    • "Water Tower Drills - High Angle Rescue Training" - Award of Excellence, 2016
    • Understanding Main Breaks Media Card - Savvy Award, 2015
    • Smart Watering Animated Video - Silver Circle Award, 2015
    • Women of Water Campaign - Award of Excellence, 2015
    • Water Treatment Animated Video - Award of Excellence, 2015
    • WaterOne.org Overall Web Design - Silver Circle Award, 2014
    • NotifyJoCo Graphic Design - Silver Circle Award, 2014
    • NotifyJoCo Promotional Campaign - Savvy Award, 2014
  • Social Media Club of Kansas City (SMCKC)
    • "Johnson Drive Water Tower Bowl Raising" - Best Event or Real Time Campaign, 2020
    • Tower 2 Tower 5K - Best Event or Real-Time Marketing Campaign, 2017
    • "Women of Water" - Best Multi-Channel Integrated Campaign Social Media Club of Kansas City (SMCKC), 2016
  • National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)
    • Notify Joco - Promotional Campaigns (Under $100,000) 2nd Place, 2014 
  • National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO)
    • NotifyJoCo Graphic Design - Meritorious Award, 2014
    • NotifyJoCo Special Projects - Meritorious Award, 2014 

Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 

  • Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (KSPE) and Kansas Society of Professional Engineers - Eastern Chapter
    • Ralph G. Wyss Pump Station & Reservoir, 2016

Engineering Excellence Award

  • American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas
    • Nall Avenue Pump Station, 2015
    • Wolcott Water Supply & Treatment Facility, 2011

Award of Excellence for New Construction

  • Associated General Contractors of Kansas
    • Nall Avenue Pump Station, 2013

President's Award

  • Excellence in Construction for Wolcott Treatment Plant
    Associate Builders and Contractors - Heart of America
    • 2011

R5 Certified Partner Sustainability Award

  • Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
    • 2017

Green Business Sustainability Award

  • Johnson County Green Business Awards
    • 2014

George Warren Fuller Award

  • Lester Estelle, Process Management Coordinator
    Kansas Section - American Water Works Association (KsAWWA)
    • 2020

40 Under 40 Award

  • Natalie Morrison, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
    Ingrams
    • 2024

Innovation Award

  • Natalie Morrison, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
    Kansas Government Finance Officers Association (KSGFOA)
    • 2019

Richard Porter Section Service Award

  • Lester Estelle, Process Management Coordinator
    Kansas Section - American Water Works Association (KsAWWA)
    • 2019

Meritorious Operator Award

  • Joe Cribbs, Analyzer Technician
    Kansas Section - American Water Works Association (KsAWWA)
    • 2018

Engineer of the Year

  • Kiel Johnson, Project Engineer II
    Kansas Society of Professional Engineers, Local Chapter
    • 2016

Bond Rating

And even though they're not technically awards, bond ratings are our financial credentials. WaterOne has some of the highest ratings awarded to a water utility. What earned us those ratings? Well, as Standard and Poor's says - it's our management, capital improvements, and stable outlook.